Daniel the Gelert romped through the streets of Neopia Central happily, feeling liberated after spending his earliest years in the countryside where there was nothing.

 Suddenly, he spotted a door, above which there was a sign, “Gelerts Only”.

 His curiousity was piqued. He couldn’t stand it and went close to peek in the window. What he saw really made him sigh with longing.

 Gelerts sat on cushions served with all kinds of delicacies that all Gelerts loved, like the ham with sour sauce poured upon served among garnishing of parsley on a silver plate. Female Gelerts went about with jewelled collars around their necks, looking very sophisticated, while the male ones wore tuxedoes and black coats, looking so distinguished Daniel felt small and insignificant.

Younger Gelerts his age romped about in some sort of playpen, the girls wearing frilly collars and ribbons while the boys gnawed and played rough.

 Daniel spotted a Gelert couple coming, ear in ear. He went up to them and asked, “Excuse me, Mister, Madame, but how does one get in there?”

 The couple looked at each other. “Why, one has to be a Gelert to be in there,” the Madame answered.

 “Is that all?” Daniel asked again.

 “Of course. You can see by the sign there, can’t you? It says ‘Gelerts Only’.”

 “Can I go in?” Daniel asked, his ears wagging in excitement. “I’m a Gelert, too.”

 “Well, of course you can! But there’s just one thing.”

 “But you said Gelerts could go in there!”

 “You have to be introduced by someone from in there,” the two of them said firmly. “It’s a very exclusive club, and one must needs acquaintances, at the very least, to enter.”

 Daniel felt crestfallen. The couple went inside while he slunked away, his tail between his legs. He felt very sad he wasn’t included in that club. He was so disappointed he sort of walked about town in a daze. Suddenly a motorbike screeeched in front of him, frightening him so much he ran to hide behind a dustbin.

 “Hey, hey you, hey, you, kid,” someone called.

Daniel came out from behind the dustbin. “M-m-me?”

 “Yeah, you, kid. Don’t hide behind that dustbin. It’s not seemly for a Gelert, you know.”

 “Seemly?”

 “Don’t you know what that word means?”

 Daniel shook his head. He hadn’t realized how dark it was already. Under the streetlamp, he could make out someone standing by a fallen motorbike. It was a Gelert, wearing a black jacket and sunglasses that made him look cool. His long ears were marked with strange designs and there was a thick gold chain hanging down his neck.

 “Who are you?” Daniel asked.

 “Who am I? Who am I?” the Gelert threw his head back and guffawed. “So the day has come, the day someone asks who am I? You been long on the streets, kid?”

 “No.”

 “Okay, then. I’m Melchon, the head honcho of Gang Gelerté. You heard of Gang Gelerté?”

 Daniel shook his head.

 “For heaven’s sake, then, now you have! What’s s’matter with you?”

 Daniel’s legs began to feel shaky. “Are you- are you a gangster?” He’d heard stories of them.

Melchon looked thoughtful. “You know, I never thought of myself that way. Why don’t we use the term ‘member of an exclusive circle’? What’s wrong with you? I’m not going to eat you or anything!”

 It’s now or never, Daniel thought. “Do you know of that ‘Gelerts Only’ café?”

Melchon stared at him. “That’s where Gang Gelerté hangs out. Don’t you know anything?”

 Daniel licked his lips nervously. “I wish I could be in there,” he said bravely. “Everyone looks so handsome and beautiful in there.”

 Melchon laughed. He knew where the little Gelert was leading to. “You’ve got guts, kid. What is your name?”

 “Daniel.”

 “I’ll have to improvise on that. Now, follow me.”

 “Where are we going?” Daniel asked.

 “To my friend’s place, Felicia Lisse. Don’t hang your head down like that, kid. Keep it up and proud. And walk like you mean it. Show how proud you are to have met Melchon, leader of Gang Gelerté!”

 Daniel remembered the couple he had met outside the café, and tried to imitate the walk. He was already beginning to like this. Melchon chatted easily about the foibles and characters of some of the members.

 “I have to keep in practise and remember everyone’s names, because I’m the leader. There’re lots of details to take care of. People to be accounted for, new members are introduced, though not very often these days, and our charity racket.”

 “Charity racket?”

 “Yes. Every so often at our gathering we have this, well, racket, meaning we get all fired-up and we collect money from all the members to fund our activities and put the rest in the donation tree. You understand? It’s not all that important to learn that straight off, but you’ll get the hang of it after your debut.”

 “Debut?”

“Why, yes. You can’t just be introduced without training, you know. You’re lucky I took a liking to you, because no one can just join Gang Gelerté just like that.”

 Melchon went on talking about the training Daniel would have to take. “But I don’t think it should take very long, kid. Look at you! We’re halfway to Felicia’s house and you’ve perfected the walk! What a natural!”

 Daniel had never been praised before, so hearing it from a leader made him feel uncomfortable, but… great! He wagged his tail. “Is Felicia rich?”

 “Well, she lives in the Elysians, if that answers your question.”

 It didn’t, but Daniel didn’t care to have it known he didn’t know. He simply nodded at whatever Melchon talked about, trying to use his ears and head to understand the complexities of what Melchon was saying.

 They were going into a different neighbourhood now. It was full of rich mansions and large houses. Daniel’s eyes nearly popped out at seeing a house that looked like it was made totally of gold.

 “Don’t trust your eyes too much,” Melchon whispered into his ear. “It’s only gold plated. Some people just don’t know how to use their money wisely,” he said sadly.

 They stopped at an elegant looking house that had delicate spires and decidedly looked like a small castle to Daniel. The door opened.

“Melchon, mon cheri! Really, what on earth are you doing here at this hour?”

 Felicia Lisse was more than what Daniel expected. Small jewelled earrings ran along her ears, twinkling in the light. Her neck was collared with silver and she wore elegant clothing. Her coat was silvery and so well combed, it made Daniel feel like he just came out of a haystack.

 “And what is this little darling?” Felicia asked, pleased.

 “I met him on the street, Felicia. He shows promise, doesn’t he?” Melchon replied calmly, going in.

 “Do come in, you darling little boy!” Felicia gushed. “Do you like candied meats?”

 Daniel’s mouth watered at the mention of the Gelert delicacy. “Yes, ma’am. Very much.”

 “And so polite too, how delightful!”

 She bustled Daniel into the sitting room, where Melchon was already lounging on a large velvet cushion and lapping wine out of a silver plate.

 “Oh, how silly of me, Melchon, my dear. My servants always assume my guests want wine. I’ll call for a plate of champagne instead.”

 “It’s all right, Felicia. Don’t want the kid’s tongue too sensitized by champagne. Let him get used to all this bit by bit. Give him some sherry instead.”

 “Oh… you mean, he’s not from the Upper District?”

 “Considering I found him wandering around the Red Light Area, I don’t suppose he is. Where do you live, Daniel?” Melchon asked.

 “At the Sun High Apartments with my owner,” Daniel replied quickly. “I used to live in the countryside.”

 “The countryside, how charming! I have an estate there,” Felicia sighed. “Did you know, Melchon, cheri, that the sunsets are ever so beautiful in the countryside!”

 “Of course, Felicia,” Melchon answered, still lapping his wine. “Sit down, kid.”

 Daniel managed to sit still for the next few hours listening to Felicia’s chatter. He didn’t quite understand how Melchon did it, but he was terribly, terribly bored at times. Melchon just sat and looked at Felicia, actually looking past her, and nodding every so often as if acknowledging what she was saying.

 “It’s late,” he finally said, getting up. Daniel nearly breathed a sigh of relief, but remembered his manners at the last moment.
“It’s been wonderful talking to you, Felicia, but Daniel here needs his sleep. He’s going to have a long day tomorrow.”

 “Why, of course, how silly and unthoughtful of me to forget such a thing!” Felicia exclaimed. “I’ll see you out the door. Daniel, you little darling, you be sure you take care of yourself, hmm?”

 “I’ll see you tomorrow, m’dear,” Melchon said urbanely as he went out the door, pausing to give Felicia a kiss on the cheek. Daniel supposed that it was obligatory of him to do so.

 “What’s going on tomorrow?” he asked Melchon as they walked across town.

 “Nothing much. I just said it to make Felicia let us out. I’ll send for you in a few days. By the by, you did splendidly in there.”

 “Thanks!” Daniel said brightly.

 “Sun High Apartments. Nice place, though a little showy,” Melchon said as they entered the compound. The Chia guard didn’t give Daniel a glance, though he looked visibly afraid of Melchon. “Now you go back to your owner, and you tell her what happened.”

 “Yes, sir! Good night Melchon!” Daniel scampered up to his owner’s apartment.

*********************

The next day, his owner was reading a letter and looking puzzled, as if she couldn’t figure out something.

“What letter is that, Ms. Flora?” Daniel asked politely.

 “I just got this strange letter saying that a certain Melshon from the Gelert Grange has expressed interest in sponsoring your education at some private academy.”

 “It’s Melchon, Ms. Flora.”

 “So you know him?”

 Daniel nodded and began telling her what happened. Ms. Flora looked vexed.

 “A gang? Daniel, I don’t want you hanging out at such a young age.”

 “It’s not really a gang, Ms. Flora. It’s like a club, you know? Just like your gardening club. This one is for Gelerts.”

 His owner frowned worriedly. “I’d like to see this… private academy for myself.”
 

 “Oh, but of course, this is sort of like a college specially for gifted students and for those upper district children,” said the nice lady who called herself the headmistress.

 “Can you be sure that my Neopet will be able to catch up with all these standards?” Ms. Flora asked.

 “Well, if Melchon says he can, I don’t see why not.”

 “Just who is this Melchon, anyway?”

“He’s the president of the Gang Gelerté. It’s mainly a club for those Gelerts who haven’t got anything better to do than to splurge their money on charities and different kinds of activities. I hear it’s quite a wholesome place to be for young children to learn how to behave themselves properly in good society.”

“I have this letter here saying that Melchon wishes to sponsor my Neopet.”

“Ah, why, that’s simply splendid! Melchon has an estimed name in many circles, and he has been most charitable to this college. What a wonderful thing to have Melchon as your sponsor, don’t you think?” the headmistress said to Daniel.

“Oh, yes, ma’am,” Daniel promptly replied.

“And such a polite little boy! No wonder Melchon was so taken.”

 “How can I be sure Daniel will be fine here?”

 “You have our guarantee that your Neopet will have nothing but the best education according to his needs and pace. If he should still do badly and slack, then we shall offer him the best of counselling sessions to motivate him.”

 Ms. Flora was quiet a long, long while. She looked at Daniel, then back at the headmistress. “I suppose,” she finally said, “that Daniel could only benefit from this education.”

 The headmistress smiled widely and took out a few pieces of paper. “Sign here, here and here, madame. Daniel can begin his lessons starting tomorrow.”

**************************************

 Daniel was very tired. He had another wonderful day, today learning about the proper conduct between people. He was going into the compound of Sun High Apartments when he heard someone say behind him, “Well, if it isn’t ol’ Mel’s little pet.”

 Daniel turned to see a nasty-looking Skeith, grinning at him with a few other Skeiths backing him up.

 “Hello, little boy. How was school?”

 “Fine,” Daniel returned. He made sure his face had no expression, though his heart was thumping loudly.

 “So… I hear tell that Mel’s going to take you on as his junior.”

 “Really.”

 “Yeah. Well, you tell him, kid, that the Skeith Selection is inviting Gang Gelerté for a rumble. Let’s see if those perfect high-nosed snobs have the guts to face the Skeith Selection!”

 Daniel ran the first chance he got all the way to Melchon’s place.

**********

“Daniel, you’re going to be late for school!” Ms. Flora called.

 Daniel came bounding down the stairs, fairly excited. “I’m nearly finished with my course, Ms. Flora! Isn’t that exciting?”

 “Of course it is. “You must make sure you don’t let all those precious skills go to waste. Have a nice day, dear.”

 “Bye Ms. Flora!”

 Daniel ran out. He rushed out of the compound but his way was blocked by no other than Melchon.

 “Melchon! Sir! I didn’t know you were around here.”

 Melchon nodded. He was wearing a fashionable tuxedo around his neck today and lightly tinted glasses. “I have received your
term report from the school. You did excellently. For the rest of the time until your debut into Gang Gelerté, you will spend it with me as my junior. It’s time to put those skills to test, Daniel.”

 “What about the rumble, Melchon? Did you accept?”

 Melchon smiled a little. “Of course. Never let it be said a Gelert is no match for a Skeith. Why, if we weren’t, our patron saint would wash his hands of us in disgust!”

 They two of them went first to a grooming parlour, where a Tatsu fussed over Daniel’s coat. “Upkeep of the coat is important, kid. You don’t want to look shabby,” Melchon said. Daniel agreed, but didn’t like it when the Tatsu combed his coat; it felt like his fur was being torn out. Nor did he enjoy the funny thing called a toothbrush rubbing over his teeth. Then they went to Melchon’s tailor. The Bruce over there measured Daniel up, then brought up a ready-made black collar tastefully designed and bejewelled.

 “You’re ready to walk the town, kid,” Melchon told Daniel as they went out of the tailor’s. “Let’s see, where’s a good place to start? Ah, I know. Café Montagué.”

 “Where’s that?”

 “In the Upper Greens. Lots of people who know of Gang Gelerté go there. Occasionally, some of the gang members will have get-togethers in that café.”

 “And then what?”

 “It’s time to test your skills, kid. This here place is one of the most popular places on town and no one denies it. Let’s see you try out that charm-the-ladies-smile. Go on.”

 Daniel smiled the smile.

 “Is that how you do it?” Melchon asked in surprise. “Well, what d’you know? That’s how I did it when I was younger, too. C’mon. Let’s try it out with the ladies.”

*****************************

 “When is my debut, Melchon?” Daniel asked when they were walking back after a long day strolling around town.

 “Soon. You’re a tad too young for it, kid. For now, you’re still my junior, but I might as well take you to Café Gelerté for a bit of introductions. I have to discuss the rumble with the rest.”

 “What does the term ‘rumble’ mean?”

 “It’s a fight. Two gangs get together and fight it out.”

 Daniel gasped. “Does everyone participate?”

 “Only the strongest. It’s the only time the city peace gets broken, then the Chia Police come out and stop us all. Sometimes both gangs get arrested. The rumble is dangerous business, kid. I wouldn’t suggest you fight in it until you reach the third level at least.”

 Daniel gulped. “I’m in Level Two,” he said, tongue sticking out a bit in defiance.

 “That’s nice to hear,” Melchon said dryly.

 “How many are going to be fighting? I mean, the Skeith look terribly tough to me.”

Melchon gave Daniel a reassuring smile. “Why can’t a Skeith be defeated by a Gelert?”

 It was a very good question, one that Daniel couldn’t answer. He was excited to be entering Café Gelerté at long last. It wasn’t a disappointment for him.

 High chandeliers hung from the ceiling and a high platform for the leader had been erected for him to speak. Melchon chose to eat first. He nodded at every Gelert who bowed in respect to him and went to a private booth. Everyone who passed them by looked curiously at Daniel, who bowed back as beautifully as he could.

 “Felicia, cheri!” Melchon said grandly. “I didn’t know you were here, and with your beautiful protege, too.”

 “Hello, Sir Melchon,” the little Gelert who was sitting next to Felicia jumped up and bowed.

 “Melchon, darling, I didn’t realize Daniel had finished his education already. That was quick work, if I do declare,” Felicia replied courteously. “Do come and sit, Daniel There’s an empty cushion next to Claire.”

 “Hello Madame Felicia, hello Miss Claire,” Daniel bowed. Claire was his age and dressed up almost exactly like Felicia. She also bowed to him and they sat down together opposite Melchon and Felicia.

 “Melchom, I heard about the rumble,” Felicia said seriously. “Do you really think it was wise to accept? During these hard times, too. Many of us have proteges to care for.”

  “We have a new chef, I see. I must speak to him about the saltiness of the beef jerky.”

 “Melchon, you aren’t listening.”

 “Daniel, Claire,” Melchon said, “Felicia and I need to have a talk with some of the council members about matters to big for your little ears. Why don’t you go out and play with the other young Gelerts in the playpen?”

 “Playpen!” Daniel exclaimed. Melchon looked at him disapprovingly and he lowered his head. “All right, Melchon.”

 “Did you go for the education?” Claire asked him when they left the booth.

 “Yes.”

 “How wonderful! Most of us didn’t have the education, we were taught privately by our seniors. Seniors aren’t always very good teachers, you know.”

 “How long have you been Felicia’s protege? Melchon recently made me his junior.”

 “Oh, about a year already. But since I haven’t got the education, my debut’s been delayed for a long while.”

 Daniel played in the playpen for a while, then Melchon came out looking very serious. Other Gelerts followed close behind him as he went up the platform and cleared his throatly loudly. Everyone looked at him. He was wearing his black leather jacket again, and looking very out of place.

 “We are going to have a rumble with the Skeith Selection in a moon’s time,” he said calmly, his voice resonating through the room. “We are Gang Gelerté, and we are a match for them. However, it has come to my attention that many of us may not be available for this… errmm… melee with the Skeiths.”

 “We’re with you, Melchon. Our proteges can take care of themselves for that day,” someone called.

 “Are you with me, Gelerts?” Melchon roared. “We’re going to need strength! Courage! Ability!”

 “YES!!”

 It was a great yelling that soon led to a charity racket. Later, Melchon said to Daniel, “Daniel, you’re one of the best juniors. I don’t want you hurt, you hear? Stay away from the rumble.”

*****************************

Daniel was playing a chess game by himself in the playpen when Claire suddenly came running up to him.

 “It’s starting, Daniel! It’s starting!” she said excitedly.

 “What is?” Daniel said crossly.

 “The rumble!”

 “We’re not allowed to go near it, Claire.”

 “But you have to, Daniel. You’re the oldest among us all, and you’re Level Two.”

 Daniel’s curiousity was dying to find out what was happening. “All right,” he finally said. “There’s a rooftop which looks down directly onto the rumble scene. I’ll take you all up there, but none of us are to go down there, you hear?” he told the others. “I’ll have your word now.”

 Solemnly, the rest of the little Gelerts promised not to go down and to do what Daniel said. It was so hard for them to contain their excitement some of the skipped along the way. They arrived in time; the rumble was beginning.

 The shopkeepers of the road had already closed down their stores in fright, seeing the Gelerts and Skeiths square off in the middle of the road.

 “Madame Felicia’s not there,” Claire quavered. “Oh my, what if she found out I’m here?”

 “Melchon’s moving forward,” one of the others whispered loudly. “Look! He’s wearing his jacket and a spiked collar.”

 “He sure looks tough.”

 “Man, I never wanna tangle with Melchon.”

 “Look at those Skeiths. They’re so big, and they outnumber us!”

 “Will you all shut up and just watch?” Daniel snapped.

 “Yes, Daniel. You the boss.”

 Melchon wasn’t stupid. He felt chagrined that even though he had expressly forbidden the younger ones to watch, they still came anyway. He turned behind to his mates. Most of the female Gelerts were hiding in the shadows, ready to leap out when the show got rough. The only thing he hadn’t counted on was the sheer bulk of the Skeiths. They were enormous. Granted, Gang Gelerté hadn’t had a rumble with any other group for months, but Melchon still felt stupid for underestimating their opponents this time.

 “Are you ready, Mel?” the Skeith Selection leader roared from his side of the road.

 “Of course,” Melchon replied amiably. “When you are, El Dono.”

 The Gelerts bared their teeth as the two leaders came forward for the face-off. Without warning, El Dono attacked, using his heavy Skeith body to flatten Melchon. The Gelert nimbly slid up and savagely tore at the El Dono’s wings.

 “Free for all!” El Dono roared.

 And both sides rushed in. The road was a mess of yellows, reds, purples and greens, Gelerts and Skeiths, posh jewels and simple metal as both sides faced off their opponents.

 “Madame Felicia’s down there!” Claire gasped. “She’s helping Montana fight off a Skeith!”

 All the juniors were suddenly shouting, cheering on their seniors. Daniel was frustrated. Melchon was going to kill him, he thought. “Qui-et!!” he shouted, but they took no notice of him.

 Melchon was going down. El Dono was good at cheating, and the road where the two leaders had been fighting was splattered with both opponent’s blood. It was frightening for Daniel to see his senior being beaten. Melchon’s being taken down!! he thought furiously.

 Without thinking, he shouted and jumped down all the way from the top.

 “Daniel! We’re on the tenth floor, you idiot!!” Claire yelled as she tried to stop him, but Daniel was well on his way down, down… down…

 “Oof!” he said as he fell into a garbage dump and he leapt right into the fray in front of El Dono.

 “Daniel?” Melchon gasped.

 Daniel faced off one of the most feared gangsters in town; a brute who had himself painted black, and had a reputation for
being merciless. A little Gelert was facing him this time, barely half his size, only a Level Two, but was fiercely baring his teeth, barring him from his intended foe.

 “Get out of my way, brat!” El Dono barked, pushing Daniel to one side. But Daniel only jumped back to his position, even as El Dono advanced and he had to stand over Melchon’s weakened body. “I’m giving you only one chance,” El Dono said in a low, terrible snarl.

 “NO!” Daniel yelled into the Skeith’s face.

 “Brrrraaatttt.”

 Daniel and El Dono glared at each other for many long moments. Everyone stopped fighting to watch them. The tension was unbearable for both sides. It was like a game of Force between Aishas. Both were trying to intimidate each other.

 “You don’t know what you’re doing, brat,” El Dono continued to discourage Daniel.

 Daniel didn’t reply. In fact, his lips curled up even more in defiance.

 “Move outta my way!”

 Another canine snarl erupted and sent tremors into everyone nearby.

 “I’m warning you, brat…” El Dono didn’t sound so sure of him already.

 “I’m warning you! Leave off!” Daniel shouted. “You’ve lost, El Dono! The Gang Gelerté’s already won!”

 “No one talks to me that way!” El Dono’s temper snapped and he snapped at the little Gelert, who only moved out of his way.
 Daniel didn’t waste a single movement and went straight for the jugular. The Skeith’s hide was tough, but Daniel held on. El Dono roared, shaking his head to throw Daniel off. Daniel was thrown off more than once, twice, thrice, but still, he went back to fight. It was a terrible combat lasting all of five minutes.

 El Dono finally backed away from Melchon. Daniel snapped and snarled until he was at a satisfactory distance from the Gelert leader. Then the Gelerts, seeing how the Skeith leader had been chased off, began to form a stance to make the other Skeiths back off and flee. One line the Gelerts made, and the Skeith Selection, scared by what they saw, took to their heels and wings.

 “I couldn’t have done better myself,” Melchon said weakly as he shakily rose to his feet.

 “Melchon!” Daniel ran to his senior. “Are you all right?”

 “I’ll soon be, no doubt. Now, what did I say about the rumble? You weren’t supposed to come anywhere near it.”

 “Well, all the other juniors were pestering me to bring them here, so…” Daniel smiled sheepishly. And speaking of the other juniors, they all tumbled out onto the road to see their seniors. Melchon laughed as loudly as he could, thankful to Saint Gelert for this particular junior.

**************************************

 There was a grand celebration that night at Café Gelerté. Everyone toasted Daniel’s courage. “I don’t see any reason to delay your debut any longer,” Melchon said wryly in the middle of the dinner. “May I have your attention, all Gelerts?” he called, standing up.

 “We have been honoured to have one among us, who is full of courage, loyalty and he is of great affection to me.” Melchon turned to Daniel. “Daniel, in the past you were just a junior. I now fully install you as a member of Gang Gelerté. From now on, you are Danehrr and a most welcome member!”

 Daniel was speechless. He was a member! He couldn’t speak, and bubbled with joy. Dancing the night away, he was very tired by the time Melchon took him home.

 “By they way, Melchon,” Daniel asked. “Why did you change my name to Danehrr when the others were always called what
they are called now?”

 Melchon was quiet for a while. “Well, Danehrr, it’s because one needs change when about to become leader of Gang Gelerté. You change your name to protect yourself and others. Sure, most now will know you as Daniel, but soon, as older members go and newer members come in, you’ll become Danehrr to them.”

 “Then you weren’t always called Melchon?”

 “No, Danehrr. I wasn’t. My real name was Melvin.”

"So... you've changed?"

"Yes, Danehrr. Change is the only permanent thing in the entire universe. But enough talk. Tomorrow will be a brand new day, and a brand new life for you. I'm very proud of you."
 

Authour's say : There! To think I have this and All Quiet On The Northern Front up finished in a single day! Thanks for reading!